Characterization of Particulate Matter Species in an Area Impacted by Aggregate and Limestone Mining North of San Antonio, TX, USA

Amit U. Raysoni, Esmeralda Mendez, August Luna and Joe Collins
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Amit U. Raysoni: School of Earth, Environmental and Marine Sciences, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville, TX 78520, USA
Esmeralda Mendez: School of Earth, Environmental and Marine Sciences, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville, TX 78520, USA
August Luna: School of Earth, Environmental and Marine Sciences, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville, TX 78520, USA
Joe Collins: Department of Geosciences, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN 37132, USA

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 7, 1-15

Abstract: Aggregate and limestone mining in San Antonio’s Bexar and Comal counties in Texas, USA, has caused considerable health concerns as of late. Aggregate mining actions can result in localized air quality issues in any neighborhood. Furthermore, heavy truck traffic, hauling, and transportation of the mined material contribute to pollution. In this research, PM species were sampled at four locations north of the San Antonio city limits. The data were collected using a TSI Air Quality Sampler that sampled PM 1 , PM 2.5 , PM 4 , PM 10 , wind speed, wind direction, temperature, and relative humidity. Continuous data with 1 min averages were recorded during the study period from August to September 2019. The instrument was stationed at every location for a period of 7 days each. The four locations were a ranch, an open field, a residential compound, and an elementary school. PM 1 and PM 2.5 concentration levels were lower compared to PM 10 concentrations at all four studied sites. Our results suggest that PM concentrations are primarily impacted by mining activities. PM species were highest at the residential compound due to its proximity to an active mining area, resulting in deleterious health effects for neighbors living in the vicinity of the sampled site.

Keywords: aggregate; mining; PM 2.5; PM 10; San Antonio; Texas (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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